Johni Broome Drops 31 as No. 1 Auburn Tops Georgia 82-70 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Johni Broome dominated with a season-high 31 points and 14 rebounds, leading No. 1 Auburn to an 82-70 victory over Georgia on Saturday. The Tigers (25-2, 13-1 SEC) pulled away late after another close battle with an unranked opponent, securing their 13th conference win. Denver Jones added 17 points, while Chad Baker-Mazara and Miles Kelly scored 11 each. Asa Newell led Georgia (16-11, 4-10 SEC) with 20 points in the loss. Auburn now turns its focus to a ranked matchup against No. 24 Ole Miss on Wednesday.
Auburn vs. Georgia Quick Looks
- Johni Broome Dominates: 31 points, 14 rebounds, and 7-for-7 shooting in the second half power Auburn past Georgia.
- Tight Battle Early: For the second straight game, Auburn struggled against an unranked opponent before pulling away late.
- Key Turning Point: A heated exchange led to four technical fouls, sparking Auburn’s decisive 7-2 run.
- Georgia’s Second-Half Fight: Asa Newell (20 points) and Silas Demary Jr. (18 points) led a late offensive surge for Georgia.
- Home Shooting Woes: Auburn continues to shoot better on the road than at home, raising concerns heading into March.
- SEC Title Race: Auburn improves to 13-1 in the SEC, maintaining its hold on the top spot in the conference.
- What’s Next for Auburn: A crucial home matchup vs. No. 24 Ole Miss on Wednesday as they look to secure a No. 1 NCAA seed.
- Georgia’s Next Challenge: The Bulldogs return home for a tough showdown vs. No. 2 Florida on Tuesday.
Deep Look
No. 1 Auburn continued its impressive SEC run on Saturday, but not without some tense moments, as the Tigers pulled away late to secure an 82-70 victory over Georgia at Neville Arena. The game showcased yet another standout performance from Johni Broome, who delivered a season-high 31 points and 14 rebounds, his 17th double-double of the season.
For the second straight game, Auburn found itself locked in a tight battle with an unranked opponent, struggling to create separation until the final minutes. Georgia, despite its road struggles this season, kept the game competitive with a strong second-half offensive surge before the Tigers ultimately asserted their dominance.
The win improved Auburn to 25-2 overall and 13-1 in the SEC, keeping them firmly atop the conference standings. Meanwhile, Georgia dropped to 16-11 overall and 4-10 in conference play, continuing their up-and-down season under head coach Mike White.
Broome’s Second-Half Takeover Fuels Auburn’s Victory
While Auburn had multiple contributors, the undeniable star of the game was Johni Broome. After a solid first half, Broome completely took over in the second, punishing Georgia inside with a mix of strong post moves and putbacks.
During a key stretch, Broome scored seven straight points for the Tigers, pushing them ahead just as Georgia appeared to be gaining confidence. His efficiency was remarkable, as he finished 7 for 7 from the field in the second half, showing why he has become one of the most dominant big men in college basketball this season.
After missing Auburn’s first meeting with Georgia in January due to an ankle injury, Broome made his presence felt in this matchup, dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. His ability to control the glass and finish high-percentage shots made him virtually unstoppable, a key factor in Auburn’s late surge.
His 17th double-double of the season was just another reminder of how essential he is to Auburn’s championship aspirations.
Auburn’s Offense Finds a Spark After a Choppy Start
Auburn’s offense, while explosive at times, has been inconsistent in recent weeks. In an interesting trend, the Tigers have actually shot the ball better on the road than they have at home in SEC play.
Against Georgia, they struggled to establish an offensive rhythm early, allowing the Bulldogs to hang around longer than expected. However, Auburn eventually found its groove, thanks largely to Broome’s dominance inside and contributions from Denver Jones, Chad Baker-Mazara, and Miles Kelly, who scored 17, 11, and 11 points, respectively.
Jones, in particular, continues to be a key secondary scorer for Auburn, finding ways to contribute when the offense needs a boost. Baker-Mazara and Kelly provided key baskets at critical moments, helping Auburn maintain control as the game entered its closing minutes.
Georgia’s Second-Half Fight Comes Up Short
Despite entering the game with a 4-9 SEC record, Georgia put up a fight, especially in the second half. Asa Newell led the way with 20 points, while Silas Demary Jr. added 18, giving the Bulldogs a much-needed offensive spark after halftime.
Georgia has struggled on the road this season, particularly on offense, and their slow first half put them in a difficult position. However, their ability to score efficiently against Auburn’s defense in the second half will give them some positives to take forward as they prepare for the final stretch of the season.
Game’s Turning Point: Tension Boils Over, Auburn Responds
The defining moment of the game came in the second half, when a heated sequence led to four technical fouls—two on each team. The intensity of the moment could have rattled the Tigers, but instead, they responded with a 7-2 scoring run that helped shift momentum fully in their favor.
One of the most electric plays during this run came when Dylan Cardwell stole the ball and launched a full-court pass to Broome, who quickly dished it to Chad Baker-Mazara for a fast-break layup. The sequence ignited the crowd at Neville Arena and was a key moment in Auburn’s eventual pull-away victory.
Auburn’s Path to March Madness and SEC Title Race
With just a few games remaining in the SEC regular season, Auburn is positioning itself for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but there are still challenges ahead.
The Tigers are in prime position to secure the SEC regular-season title, but with teams like Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky still looming, they can’t afford any slip-ups.
One area Auburn will need to focus on heading into March is consistency in their shooting at home. The Tigers have been more efficient offensively on the road, a trend they will want to correct before conference and NCAA Tournament play begins.
Head coach Bruce Pearl emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, saying,
“We didn’t hit the levels we needed to tonight. We have to be better, and I take responsibility for that. The goal is to peak at the right time.”
What’s Next for Auburn and Georgia?
Auburn’s road to a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament continues with a crucial matchup at home against No. 24 Ole Miss on Wednesday. The game will provide another big test for the Tigers as they look to solidify their dominance in the SEC.
Georgia, meanwhile, will return home to host No. 2 Florida on Tuesday, facing one of their toughest matchups of the season. With the Bulldogs struggling in conference play, they’ll need a strong performance to pull off an upset.
As the season winds down, Auburn is looking more and more like a legitimate title contender, and performances like this one—where they overcome adversity and find ways to win—will only strengthen their case as a national championship threat.
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